Though many say that all light beers are the same, there are some differences in the various commercial offerings. Without buying a bunch of light beers, you have to wonder what those differences and similarities are in a matchup like Bud Light vs Coors Light.
The differences between Coors Light and Bud Light are the calorie count, carbs, and flavor profile. Both Bud Light and Coors Light have a crisp, clean flavor with a subtle malt flavor, light bitterness, and a slightly floral aroma. They also have the same alcohol content, similar recipe ingredients, and low cost.
These two commercial examples of light lagers have stood the test of time for the past decades for good reason. Let’s look at them both and try to see what they both have done to keep their popularity.
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Coors Light vs Bud Light comparison overview
Brewed by Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light is a popular light beer that has been around since 1982. Anheuser-Busch also makes several other styles of Bud Light, Budweiser, and several other beers.Â
Bud Light is low in calories and cheap with a simple recipe. Though it is often dismissed as a bad beer, it can be crisp and refreshing. With its lower ABV, it is easily sessionable.
The Coors Brewing Company makes other popular beers such as Coors Banquet, Coors Pure, and Coors Edge. Although it was introduced much earlier, the release of the current Coors Light was in 1978.
Like Bud Light, Coors Light is marketed as a low-calorie, easy-drinking beer. As with most light beers, it has a muted flavor profile that is made up for by its crispness.
| Comparison | Bud Light | Coors Light |
| Calories | 110 | 102 |
| Carbs | 6.6 grams | 5 grams |
| ABV | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Ingredients | Barley, rice, water, yeast, hops | Water, barley, hop extract, lager yeast, corn syrup |
| Taste | Crisp, light maltiness, carbonation | Hints of malt, hints of bitterness |
| Aroma | Light maltiness | Light bready notes |
| Cost | $10 | $8 |
| Popularity (in popular opinion Q3 2022 US) | 12th | 18th |
| History | First released 1982 as Budweiser Light | First brewed in 1978 as the Silver Bullet |
What is the difference between Bud Light and Coors Light?
When it comes to Bud Light vs Coors Light, there are many factors we can use to compare them. Using the criteria below, let’s break down the differences between Bud Light and Coors Light.
- Bud Light vs Coors Light Calories
- Bud Light vs Coors Light Carbs
- Bud Light vs Coors Light Alcohol Content (ABV)
- Bud Light vs Coors Light Ingredients
- Bud Light vs Coors Light Taste, flavors, and aroma
- Cost
- Popularity and sales
- History
The first few aspects – calories, carbs, alcohol content, and ingredients – help to determine the objective differences of the recipe and the final product.Â
Then we can break down why people like one over the other. By covering the taste, flavors, and aromas of the two beers, we can highlight some of the subjective reasons for people’s preferences.
Lastly, we’ll cover the marketing and history of the two beers. That will include the cost, popularity, and sales of Bud Light and Coors Light.
Bud Light
Calories, carbs, and other nutritional facts
A 12-ounce can of Bud Light contains 110 calories, 6.6 grams of carbs, 0.9 grams of protein, and 0 grams of fat.
For context, 100 calories is a tablespoon of peanut butter or an average apple.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
Each 12-ounce can or bottle of Bud Light has 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Ingredients
Bud Light is brewed with 4 ingredients: water, barley, hops, and rice. Yeast is also used in brewing but is not listed in the ingredients.Â
The type of hops, the strain of yeast, style of malt, or other specifics of the recipe aren’t released to the public but have a large impact on the end result.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Bud Light tastes of mild breadiness and other malty flavors. There is some light sweetness to accompany the malt flavors. It has a quite carbonated but watery mouthfeel. The aroma is similar to the taste. A light breadiness with a hint of hops.
The beer is overall crisp and light. If you drink it in a can, you will get a bit of the metallic quality.Â
Cost
A 6-pack of Bud Light costs roughly 10 dollars. The price will be roughly higher or lower depending on your area. Individual tall cans (25 oz.) cost approximately $2.75.
Bud Light is available in many different quantities. There are 6-packs, 12-packs, 30 racks, and more.
Popularity and sales
According to YouGovAmerica, Bud Light is the 12th most popular beer in the US. In 2020, Anheuser-Busch shipped 26.5 million barrels of Bud Light. This was a 6.5% decrease from the previous year.
History
In 1982 Bud Light was first sold as Budweiser Light. In 1984 it was rebranded Bud Light. Its release was meant as a way to compete with Miller Lite. As such, the two companies feuded for many years.
Coors Light
Calories, carbs, and other nutrition facts
A 12-ounce Coors Light has 102 calories, 5 grams of carbs, 0 grams of fat, and fewer than 1 gram of protein.
At 102 calories, a Coors Light has a little more calories than one and a half bananas.
Alcohol Content (ABV)
One 12-ounce Coors Light has 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Ingredients
Coors Light is brewed with water from several sources, including Rocky Mountain springs, North American 2-row barley, hop extract, lager yeast, and corn syrup.
The corn syrup is used during fermentation and is filtered out of the final product. Each ingredient is integral to the beer that ends up in a Coors Light can.
Taste, flavors, and aroma
Coors light tastes slightly sweet with bready notes. The mouthfeel is watery and carbonated. Its aroma is a reflection of the taste of malty notes.
Cost
A 6-pack of 12-ounce Coors Light costs about $8 in most areas. That price will be affected by where you are. An individual tall boy will cost roughly 3 dollars.
Popularity and sales
According to YouGovAmerica, Coors Light is the 18th most popular beer in the US. Last year, sales for Coors Light went up by 4.4%.
History
Coors Light as we know it was first released in 1978. However, in the 1940s, Coors Brewing Co. sold a light beer by the same name. It was not sold after WWII. Due to the aluminum can it was sold in, Coors Light quickly became known as the Silver Bullet.
After reading this article, you might be interested in learning more about Bud Light vs Miller Lite!